A/N: It's here! The sequel to Love and the Empty Broom Closet is upon us. This leg of Kate's life story will carry us from the summer after GoF, through OotP, and into the beginings of HBP. It's going to be longer, deeper, and darker than LEBC was, but I think you'll really enjoy it!
Without further ado I give you the prologue to In Other News!
Disclaimer – I do not own Harry Potter, I do not own anything associated with it. I own Kate, Cara, Theo, Elise, and Ian.
In Other News
Prologue: In the City's Shadow
December 15, 1997
New York City, New York
The rain finally stopped an hour before. But dark clouds hung over the city, wrapping around the tallest skyscrapers. Fog rose in misty swirls along the fairly empty streets as a single figure appeared out of thin air. The woman pulled the hood of her wool coat over her head, covering her hair. A pair of fierce grey eyes matched the gloomy weather overhead, and she curled her fingers around the collar of her coat, pulling it tighter against her neck. At just after midnight, the cold air sucked into her lungs, she could see her breath every time she exhaled.
Kate Kelley paused for a fraction of a second to take in her surroundings before she took off towards the docks. Half-hidden in the shadows between streetlights, she jogged towards the outer wall of a large, vacant warehouse. Several similar buildings lined the dock that looked out over the Hudson river. The nasty pre-Christmas cold snap dulled the river's normally unpleasant draft. Behind her, the Manhattan skyline jutted up from the earth, the lights blotted out and dimmed by the fog and mist. Every so often, the woman stopped and pressed herself along the walls of a building, peering around corners and checking for any other signs of life.
At last she came to a narrow lane and at the end she could see two silhouettes at the end, right near the dock's drop off into the frigid water. She took one look behind her and then took off, jogging until she reached the two men. Ian Haynes gave her a half-grin and she clapped him on the shoulder as she came to a halt, right next to Finn Devlin. "Sorry I'm late," she muttered under her breath. "Samuel Reyes pulled me into the layout meeting that wouldn't end."
Both men hissed in sympathy. Finn patted her on the back and walked a few paces away from her. Ian shrugged his shoulders and readjusted his white-knuckled grip on his wand.
Kate bounced uncomfortably on her heels, pushing the rubber soles of her combat boots into the ground. Her nervous movement caused the sweep of her bangs to loosen from behind her ear. The champagne blonde hair fell into her eyes, and she impatiently pushed the offending strands out of the way. "You're fidgeting," muttered Finn as he reapproached. "Please, stop, it's making me nervous."
Glaring sideways at Finn, Kate mumbled a short string of curses under her breath. Nervous didn't even begin to cover the jumbled knot of emotions that sank deep in the pit of her stomach. "We're all nervous, Finn," said Ian darkly. Kate turned her gaze to her friend and gave him the best smile she could. Reaching out, she took his hand in hers, lacing their fingers together. "You alright?"
It was a loaded question, one she'd desperately tried to avoid for months now. "I'm fine," she lied. Kate lied every time Ian asked her that question and they both knew it. Instead of calling her out, he simply squeezed her hand, rubbing his thumb reassuringly over hers. The simple gesture soothed some of Kate's raw nerves, easing the potent combination of fear, anxiety, grief, and sorrow that daily grated against Kate's heart.
"You're the worst liar in the world. You know that, right?" A tiny smile tugged at the corner of Kate's mouth. She tightened her fingers over his.
"It's almost fifteen after, they should be here any minute," said Finn quietly. He took several steps, walking forward to the water's edge. They stood in the shadow of an abandoned warehouse, in a secluded part of the dock. The Hudson was remarkably still and pitch black beneath the cloudy sky.
"How many?" Asked Ian. He let go of Kate's hand as she walked forward, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
"Twenty," she and Finn said at the same time. "We've got four portkeys to take them out to various rendezvous points across the country. One to upstate New York, one to Texas, one to Colorado, and another to L.A.," said Kate and she narrowed her eyes, trying to look into the distance. The only light for several feet in either direction came from a streetlight, casting an eerie orange glow along the walkway near the water.
"Is Beckett set up inside?" Kate asked. Ian shoved his hands in his coat pockets and nodded, looking over his shoulder at his best friend. Her lips lifted into another small smile. "Now whose nervous?" She teased lightly.
Ian waved her off before tugging his skull cap further over his dark hair. Kate ducked her head and reached inside the neck of her coat. Picking the fine chain off her collar, Kate pulled along the length until she produced a single charm. Holding out the charm flat in her palm, she watched the golden compass needle spin until it pointed in a definite and steady direction. "Due East," she whispered to herself and then closed her fingers over the compass.
"Have you heard from him?"
Finn's question cut through Kate's reverie. Looking up she pursed her lips and then shoved the necklace back under her collar, embarrassed for having been caught. "No," she replied. Even she cringed at the weight of her voice.
"You will," said Ian coming to stand next to her. Drawing in a stilted sigh, Kate dropped her head onto Ian's shoulder. "Things are tough right now because of the war, but you will."
Kate was saved from answering when the water began to bubble just off the dock ledge. "Here they come," said Finn. Kate reached into the narrow pocket sewn into the leg of her blank utility pants, curling her fingers around her wand. Holding it aloft, she spread out from her friends. Ian retreated for the doorway to the warehouse where a face appeared from the darkness.
John Beckett's gold wire glasses glinted dully in the faint light. "Are we ready?"
"Almost," muttered Ian. "Get back and be ready to give directions." Beckett nodded and faded back into the warehouse.
Slowly the mast of a small boat emerged from the water. A sharp sucking sound accompanied the water as it rolled and frothed out of the way, making room for sailboat that rose higher and higher. "I'll never get used to this," said Finn. He and Kate stood apart from one another, their wands held out. The final cascade of water sloshed over the dock ledge, splashing onto Kate's boots.
A gangplank lowered onto the ground and from the blackness emerged several faces. Kate watched, with baited breath as twenty odd witches and wizards debarked from their tiny magical transport. All muggle-borns or family thereof, the refugees were all in various states of disarray, each carrying what little they had left of their former lives overseas. "Keep your wands out, even if you're underage," said Finn as they passed. "Go through that doorway, your portkeys to your next location are waiting for you."
Kate and Ian locked eyes. He gave her a thumbs up and she smiled in return. A small feeling of relief washed over Kate as the last person disembarked and the gangplank receded. "I don't know about you but I am all for a large drink after this."
"Yeah, you won't have to twist my arm to convince me," said Kate. Looking across the way at Ian, she watched as he ushered the last few people through the doorway. "Or Ian." Ian lifted his head to look at his friends. Kate's hand relaxed a fraction on her wand.
The streetlight overhead flickered out. Kate froze in place. Seconds ticked by and she heard nothing but the sloshing of the Hudson and her pounding heart. Encased in almost total darkness, her eyes strained to see anything. Every movement she made, no matter how small, felt like a flashing neon sign. Gravel crunched slightly under the soles of her shoes as she took a step backwards. A hand slipped past hers. Startled, she whipped her head around and found Finn next to her, wand aloft. He raised a trembling finger to his lips. Just across the way, Kate's adjusted eyes could just make out Ian, slowly inching towards them.
A jet of green light shot between Kate and Finn. Screaming, she ducked out of the way, lunging towards Ian. Their hands stretched towards one another. A second jet of light streamed overhead and the streetlight shattered, raining glass over them.
"Ian!" Kate screamed his name, struggling to get to him. Ian's face reflected her terror in the light of she spells that came hurtling toward them. Blindly, Kate fired off several curses and just when her fingers brushed past the tips of Ian's the world around Kate exploded in a shower of green and red sparks.
A/N: Time travel! Have no fear, all will be explained in due time. Chapter 1 picks up back at the start of OoTP!
Leave some love! - Brose